Pearce votes to penalize sanctuary cities

In this Feb. 11, 2014, photo. House Financial Services Committee member Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., listens on Capitol Hill in Washington. New Mexico's only Republican in its congressional delegation has not scheduled any traditional town hall meetings amid angry scenes nationally. Pearce is asking constituents to sign up for a "telephone town hall" on Wednesday, Feb. 15, as activists vow to attend GOP congressmen's town halls across the country. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)(Photo11: Cliff Owen/The Associated Press)

LAS CRUCES - U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce voted along with the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday to pass legislation that would withhold federal funds for so-called sanctuary cities.

HR 3003 passed 228-195, and now moves to the Senate.

The bill would penalize communities that decline to cooperate with or provide information to federal immigration officials by withholding funding for numerous federally supported law enforcement programs.

“We in New Mexico know firsthand the challenges that come with a broken and outdated immigration system,” Pearce said in a prepared statement. “However, failures and flaws intertwined in our system are no excuse for cities to willfully ignore the laws of this nation. All levels of government should be responsible to follow and enforce the laws of our nation. It is the responsibility of Congress to work with the Administration to do all we can to secure our border; reform immigration policies to ensure easy, fair, and timely visas can be obtained; and provide respect and certainty to every individual living in our nation.”

The House also passed legislation Thursday to toughen penalties for those who return to the country after being deported. It is named for Katie Steinle, who was murdered in 2015 by a man who was in the country illegally.

“Congress must do all it can to keep our communities safe. Kate’s Law does this by increasing the penalties associated with repeated illegal entry into the United States,” Pearce said. “This act, along with the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, cannot occur in a vacuum without Congress taking necessary steps forward to address the larger issue at hand — our nation’s vulnerable immigration system. More must be done to create a visa program that provides individuals and families around the world looking for a better life with safer, faster, and a more just system.”

New Mexico’s two other House members, Democrats Ben Ray Lujan and Michelle Lujan Grisham, voted against both bills.

"New Mexico communities will be less safe as a result of the president's attempt to punish all immigrants and their families, rather than focus on violent criminals who pose a real threat to public safety," Lujan Grisham said.